Rhode Island Drive Collecting Socks, Underwear For The Homeless

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island's largest coat drive is once again collecting donations for the homeless. The Buy Nothing Day Coat Exchange is hosting a "Spare a Pair" drive for socks and underwear.

The annual exchange returned in person this past November. Now, event organizers are collecting socks and underwear, some of the most-requested items in homeless shelters. The drive will run through April 1. Event organizers will distribute donations on a rolling basis, as they are collected.

Donations of new, unopened packages of socks and underwear of all sizes can be dropped off at collection sites. Items can also be ordered online and delivered directly to the East Greenwich or Cranston collection sites.

• 21 Division St. #2, East Greenwich
• 86 Longview Drive, Cranston
• Hot Club: 25 Bridge St., Providence (drop off only)

Donors can also host their own collection site. To set one up, email ricoatdrive@gmail.com, reaching out on Facebook or use the contact form at RICoatExchange.org.

The Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness predicted that the homelessness rate is expected to rise again this year. 2020's rate reported to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development was 1,100, the fourth year in a year it rose.